Why was there so much hype about Roy as a coach?

Satoru Gojo

Registered User
Jan 15, 2012
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Before he was hired by the Islanders he was always on lists of the best coaches not coaching in the NHL.

I know he was linked to the Sens job at one point and was regarded as a smart move by the Islanders to bring him in

Why is that though? What am I missing? He didn’t have much success coaching in the NHL before so I’m not sure where this comes from. He seems like a hot heat whose team quits in a short time span
 
Because he's charismatic, gets loud, and does the occasional outrageous thing which was labelled as "passion and hard work."

Different description but look at Dan Bylsma "he wears glasses so he must be smart and Pierre is gonna hype anything to do with Pittsburgh on national tv".
 
How are you defining "so much hype"? Despite no playoff appearances with Colorado, he still had a winning record and a good record plus championship in QMJHL. Couple that with his understanding of the game, I do not think it's a stretch to understand why he was a contender for HC vacancies.
 
He had a great record in the QMJHL and it’s exciting to see new coaches break into the league.

In his first season in Colorado he coached the team to their best season since they won the Cup in 2001, so he must’ve been doing something right to start out with.
 
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Why was there hype? He was an excellent coach for the Quebec Remparts in the Q for many years. Success in the CHL is one of the regular pathways to the NHL in coaching.
 
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He did win a Jack Adams in his several seasons with the Avs. He has done pretty well so far with NYI given what he has had to work with. Jack Adams winner and a ton of success previously coaching the Ramparts calls for a certain amount of hype entering a new gig. He's definitely an above average coach.
 
because of the rings in his ears.
that and he's singlehandedly responsible for the way goalies are pulled in the modern NHL.
 
How are you defining "so much hype"? Despite no playoff appearances with Colorado, he still had a winning record and a good record plus championship in QMJHL. Couple that with his understanding of the game, I do not think it's a stretch to understand why he was a contender for HC vacancies.

He had 1 playoff series as coach of the Avs. They lost in 7 games to the Wild, I remember that Parise went off in that series and it honestly might have been the best hockey he ever played.
 
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I think he’s fine. A little dramatic, but he isn’t really working with a lot. But to answer OP’s question, because he had great success in the Q as a coach
 
He did have that one surprise 13-14 Adam's winning season with the Avs.

What a wild ride that season was. All out offense, awful defense and Varlamov standing on his head holding leads.
 
Was there an over abundance of hype? Don't really remember that being the case other than that he makes a more interesting character than the likes of dorky stumps like Eakins, Quinn, Gulutzan, Woodcroft, Hynes, etc.

Not really sure what more you can expect from the guy. Lou hasn't given him a ton to work with. Barzal is the only real star caliber skater they've had since Tavares left and even his spirit is looking like it's close to being crushed. Hell he might be their only 1st line fwd. Roy I think is a good motivator and with the right coaching staff and right roster he could take a team on a serious playoff run. If I were a player and he got in my face I'd be a lot more inclined to listen to a legend with HHoF gravitas like him than some pencil necked doofus squawking about controlled zone entries and NZ gaps.
 
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Because his resume in junior is f***ing OP

Plus, he ain't a bad coach lol, have you seen with what he has to work with in the first place?
 
It's just my impression (albeit over about 38 years), but Roy strikes me as a great sort of "emotional leader", and he probably has a good knowledge of the nuts and bolts of the game, as well. So if he's leading a team that can execute what he wants and that can handle his strong personality, I think he's a good coach.

However, he doesn't strike me as a patient teacher who would be good with young, developing players.

I think he'd be more effective coaching a veteran team, with some pedigree.
 
NYI - especially Barzal-less - is not a good team. We should be holding up judgement.

Also, in his first season Colorado the team had no business being this good. I think it worked against him in the end.
 
I didn't know there was hype about Roy, majority of Habs fans didn't want him to coach our team. I think he had an interview with the Habs at some point but it didn't go well. They basically looked at each other and laughed after he left.
 
There's a natural hope, and excitement, for any big NHL star becoming an NHL head coach. There's always a segment of the hockey world who wants them to be a good coach, or thinks they will be.

With former NHL stars, the expectations go beyond their actual coaching ability or hockey knowledge.
 

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